Microsoft Delivers Surface Pro Firmware Updates

I’m an update nut. Every time I turn on either my Mac or Windows machines, I always, always, always check for both system and app updates. Call it anal retentivity if you must, but with so many different vulnerabilities and exploits going around, computing on any connected devices can be dangerous without the proper OS and critical application updates. That’s why I check so often. I’m really online all the time, every day, out loud; and I don’t have time to deal with the aftermath of getting hacked.

I also just like making sure I have the latest version of everything.

As I said… anal retentive…

As a converted Mac user, you see app updates more often than you see OS updates. As a veteran Windows user, I’m used to running Windows Update at least 2-3 times a week to make certain I’ve got everything; and when you do run it, you run it over and over again until the service tells you there’s nothing left to update.

So imagine my surprise this morning when I got to the office and jumped over to SuperSite for Windows to read what will likely be Paul Thurrott’s last post there, when I saw this – an article on firmware updates for ALL three Surface Pro versions.

Microsoft missed a December update for the devices, and I honestly thought nothing of it. They should be pretty much done updating firmware for Surface Pro and Surface Pro 2, anyway. They’ve been replaced by Surface Pro 3, and I’d expect Microsoft to really be concentrating on this one. The updates here have some legs; and I’m really hoping they get up and walk around a bit… There are a couple things here, like the Wi-Fi and other wireless changes as well as the update to Surface Hub. Both of these should correct errors that have been hounding people around the world with Surface Pro 3 for some time.

Without further ado, here is the full list of updates, for all three devices.

Surface Pro UEFI update (v3.11.450.0) adds support for updated HD Graphics Family driver.
HD Graphics Family driver update (v10.18.14.4029) enhances display stability and performance, improves user experience when using Miracast adapters. Improves compatibility with DisplayPort monitors and daisy chaining.
Wireless Network Controller and Bluetooth driver update (v15.68.3073.151) addresses connectivity issues while Hyper-V is enabled. Adds an advanced feature to control the 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz band preference.
Surface Home Button driver update (v2.0.1179.0) ensures compatibility with the Surface Hub app.
Microsoft Docking Station Audio Device driver update (v1.31.35.7) improves the user experience while using the Surface Pro 3 Docking Station so that sound is available when a speaker is not connected to the docking station.

Surface Pro:
Surface Pro UEFI update (v1.7.50) further enhances the system security.
These updates for the Surfaces will be listed as “System Firmware Update – 1/15/2015” once installed and viewed in update history.

As a reminder, when delivered via Windows Update, the Surface firmware updates are pushed out on a staggered basis. Instructions for manually installing the Surface firmware updates are available on the individual Surface Update History sites.